THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A record entries of at least 1600 athletes competing for
MK Joseph Memorial
16th Kerala State
Inter District Club Athletics Championship
has warmed the cockles of the organisers – the
Kerala State Athletics Association
– which will commence at the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium here from Wednesday.
"We have been seeing this trend in entries every year. Last edition included men and women. Despite dropping the senior categories this time the number of entries is breaking record. The inter-district club is one of biggest event in
athletics
calendar. We organsie the three-day programme with a mere budget of Rs 5 lakh," said PI Babu, secretary, KSSA.
The paucity of funds means the medallists will not be provided with cash awards which they used to give till 2016. In 2017, KSAA could not organize the event for want of hosts and was revived last year at the same venue but sans prize money.
But that is not an issue for those who have assembled here to compete in four categories – Under-14, U-16, U-18, and U-20 – for boys and girls.
Sivapriya ES of GFHSS, Nattika in Thrissur, who overcame the trauma of floods last year by winning the long jump event with a new record and gold, is eager to give one more try. “Past is past. I’m looking forward to do well in both 100m hurdles and long jump this time. Last year which was also my first ever competition, it was raining during the jumps. Despite that I could enter record books. I hope to do better this time and I’m well prepared too,” said Sivapriya who will be competing in girls U-16 category.
Her senior teammate Ancy Sojan, record holder in girls U-18 200m and long jump events, is eager to make her mark but is cautious this time as she is recovering from the injury suffered at the senior meet in Kozhikode in June.
In girls hurdles, Aparna Roy of Malabar Sports Academy, Pulloorampara in Kozhikode is expected to dominate both the 100m and 400m hurdles events.
In boys triple jump, Akhill Kumar CD of Mundur HSS in Palakkad, who is state school champion and national junior silver medallist is expected to improve his record show.
Asian youth champion CR Abdul Razzack of Mathur, Palakkad is expected to mark new time in boys 400m event.
However, this meet being the season opener, records are expected to be premium.
MA Sports Academy, Kothamangalam are defending champions but will face tough time from hosts SAI athletes.
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